From exotic shores to Derbyshire as artefacts go up for sale

Sarah Bould

Hansons Auctioneers are selling a unique collection of mementos of early travels.

The archive includes two scrapbooks, a hand-written journal dating from 1806 and an array of artefacts from some of the most exotic locations accessible at the time.

items up for auction

The remarkable archive gives a fascinating insight into the sophisticated life of Miss Sayer, a wealthy lady of the Nineteenth Century who complied scrapbooks that were typical of this Jane Austen period. One volume includes an assortment of pretty prints and engravings, contemporary fashions, snippets of advice and anecdotes.

In complete contrast to this genteel existence, another member of the family, thought to be Miss Sayer's brother Robert, was facing adventure and danger travelling across the world as a midshipman and lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy. Robert Sayer served on several ships including the Ariadne and the Jupiter, also, most remarkably, HMS Victory.

Charles Hanson, Managing Director of Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall said: ‘It is quite remarkable to find materials from the same family which reflect so dramatically the contrasting lives of men and women of the early Nineteenth Century. Any document relating to the Victory is a delight to find but to also have artefacts with such provenance from Easter Island, Pitcairn, the Marquesas and the Americas is extraordinary.’

The collection will be sold as a single lot on Friday April 1 (estimate £1,500-£2,500) and is expected to generate excitement amongst those interested in both social and naval history.